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rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
4.0
The letters are written by a Grandfather with Alzheimers (ostensibly) to his granddaughter. Grandpa Harry wants to leave letters and poems behind so that people can know him for the man he was in life, and not the man he was as his mind and conduct were claimed by disease.
There are additional story lines relating to his relationships with his wife, his children, and between his children and their families, but I was most struck by two things: his desperation to be remembered with fondness, and not as the crazy crank he anticipated becoming; and the fact that his disease process was exacerbated by a lifelong battle with depression.
I've worked in senior living centers with seniors who were in advanced dementia. There are days when it is hard to see anything but the diagnosis. This book is an excellent reminder that the person you are caring for might be as much a stranger to their families as they are to you. Also, it serves as a valuable reminder that depression causes real pain.
I was touched by the story, even when I felt that the ending was perhaps a little idealized for a society that exalts the easy divorce.
There are additional story lines relating to his relationships with his wife, his children, and between his children and their families, but I was most struck by two things: his desperation to be remembered with fondness, and not as the crazy crank he anticipated becoming; and the fact that his disease process was exacerbated by a lifelong battle with depression.
I've worked in senior living centers with seniors who were in advanced dementia. There are days when it is hard to see anything but the diagnosis. This book is an excellent reminder that the person you are caring for might be as much a stranger to their families as they are to you. Also, it serves as a valuable reminder that depression causes real pain.
I was touched by the story, even when I felt that the ending was perhaps a little idealized for a society that exalts the easy divorce.
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
4.0
"Harry Whitney is dying. And in the process, he's losing his mind. Afflicted with Alzheimer's disease, he knows his "good" time is dwindling. Wishing to be remembered as more than an ailing old man, Harry realizes the greatest gift he can pass on is the wisdom of his years, the jumbled mix of experiences and emotions that add up to a life. And so he compiles a book of his poems for his favorite granddaughter, Emily, in the hope that his words might somehow heal the tenuous relationships in a family that is falling apart. "
ashleykingsley's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed all of the letters to Emily.
lmjones's review against another edition
1.0
Take my rating with a grain of salt because this isn't the kind of book I would normally pick up since I know it's not a genre I enjoy. For context, I recently reread Tuesday's with Morrie and found it a lot more boring than when I read it ten years ago... my tastes are just different. *shrug*
While it did have some interesting set ups, I felt let down by the predictability and then the rushed ending. I'm all about well developed story arcs and rich character development and IMO this type of book's energy centers more around little nuggets of wisdom than it's actual story.
While it did have some interesting set ups, I felt let down by the predictability and then the rushed ending.
Spoiler
Don't get me wrong, I wanted Laura and Bob to get back together from the start, but it felt kind of forced and over the top for me.melbelmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure what this book was about when I started it, but it kept my attention with every page. Full of advice and life's important lessons, I was really charmed with the story. Quick read!
nicolepeck's review against another edition
4.0
I was leery of this book at first, seemed like it was going to be pretty cheesy, but I enjoyed up really enjoying it and getting caught up in the puzzle of the letters and poems. The ending, by the time it came, was predictable and a bit cheesy, but the entire book still had a great moral and lesson. Very enjoyable, clean read (other than some rare mild language).
sharolyn's review
4.0
A cute book. Maybe cute isn't the right word, a fun idea. And I know it was based on real life events so I don't want to devalue that in any way, but after just finishing Arundhati Roy's 'God of Small Things', the writing paled in comparison. Still it was thoughtful and hopeful and I love these things. It made me think about aging and family and forgiveness. Enjoyable. Read on my mum's recommendation.
readastorywithtory's review against another edition
5.0
This book had great advice for everyone who may have read it.